20,000-euro electric car
Citroën ë-C3: The revolution among e-cars?
This is the electric car we've been waiting for: the Citroën ë-C3 is set to shake up the pricing structure among electric cars because it's not only affordable, but also really good. In other words: not cheap. "Krone" motoring editor Stephan Schätzl took the not-so-small little French car for a spin in Burgenland – watch his impressions in this video!
First, a few facts: since 2002, Citroën has sold a total of 5.6 million units of the first three generations of its best-selling C3 series. Almost a third of Citroëns sold are C3s. The fourth generation is based on the new "Smart Car" platform, which was developed for electric drives but can also accommodate combustion engines and hybrid drives.
The C3 will initially be available as an electric and gasoline model, with a full hybrid to follow at the end of the year. Two trim levels are available for the three engines: You and Max.
The electric model for under €20,000
At 4.02 meters long and 1.57 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.54 meters, the mini SUV offers significantly more space than its predecessor on the same footprint: it can accommodate up to five adults and 310 liters of luggage. Regardless of the drive system. The cheapest electric model is listed at €24,900, which means it costs €19,500 after the subsidy has been deducted. The version with top-of-the-range equipment costs an additional €4,500. In a year's time, a ë-C3 with a third less range will be available at a list price starting at €19,990.
The combustion engine costs €16,490 and €20,700 respectively.
Surprisingly mature handling
The drive, chassis, and steering are identical in all models, only specially tuned to the respective weight. The advanced comfort chassis is standard. With two progressive hydraulic stop dampers per spring, it provides a strikingly good combination of astonishingly good ride comfort and precise handling without any tendency to be spongy. The steering provides more than adequate contact with the road, offering unexpected grip and directness.
Drives briskly, but not very far
The permanently excited synchronous motor under the front hood delivers 83 kW/113 hp and 120 Nm and is said to accelerate the car, which weighs between 1344 and 1485 kg without the driver, to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds. The official top speed is 132 km/h, but in fact it was 134 km/h in the test. The battery stores 44 kWh gross, which should be enough for a WLTP range of 324 kilometers. An absolutely reasonable value for a city car.
Charging is done with up to 100 kW of direct current, which fills the LFP battery from 10 to 80 percent in 26 minutes. The ë-C3 charges with only 7.4 kW of alternating current as standard; the 11 kW charger costs an extra $400.
Two recuperation modes ensure that braking energy is collected while driving when you take your foot off the "gas." The brake pedal acts exclusively on the hydraulic brake.
For even more consistent urban use, the future entry-level electric model is promised a range of 200 kilometers.
Decent three-cylinder
Apart from a partially audible whirring noise, the Stromer is very quiet. But the three-cylinder gasoline engine also impresses with its good manners and powerful acceleration. The 1.2-liter turbo is well insulated and gets down to business with minimal delay. The data sheet lists 100 hp and 205 Nm at 1750 rpm, with power transmitted to the front wheels via a precise six-speed manual transmission.
The hybrid will be introduced later. It combines the three-cylinder engine with a 21 kW and 55 Nm electric motor.
Useful basic equipment
The basic You trim includes the essentials, such as electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, manual air conditioning, and LED headlights. You have to do without the 17-inch aluminum wheels, but instead you get 16-inch steel rims with wheel covers. In addition, instead of a 10.25-inch touchscreen, you get a centrally mounted holder that turns your cell phone into an operating system via app and NFC. In return, you get three knobs for the air conditioning, but you have to make do with cheaper-looking materials.
With the Max trim level, there are many more amenities on board, from automatic climate control to a rather crude rearview camera, plus roof rails and a choice of black or body-colored roof at no extra charge. You can also add the winter package with seat and steering wheel heating, etc., for €700.
Incidentally, similar vehicles will also be available from other Stellantis brands. First up, the seven-seater C3 Aircross will be unveiled in June.
Driving experience
The Citroën C3 is also a good deal as a gasoline model, but as an electric car it is an absolute price breaker. Sure, a good €30,000 for the top-of-the-range model including the winter package is a lot of money for a small car, but the ë-C3 is so successful in its features that the competition will be looking at it very closely. And so will potential customers, for example on a test drive, which should be possible from July. After all, it is the electric car with the best price-performance ratio – and a pioneer for the series of promised affordable battery-powered vehicles. So far, the only other car in this price range is the Dacia Spring – which the Romanians can now sell off at a dumping price. In any case, it will be badly outclassed by the Citroën ë-C3.
Why?
Very affordable, yet very good
The first to deliver on the promise of an affordable electric car.
It is built very close by, just behind Bratislava.
Why not?
For consistent city drivers, the range may even be too high.
Or maybe...
...wait until next year and go for the smaller battery.
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